Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item :http://hdl.handle.net/2066/63649

Display more details

Subject:

Experimental Psychopathology and Treatment

Organization:

PsychiatryGeneral PracticeSW OZ BSI KLP

Journal title:

British Journal of Psychiatry

Volume:

vol. 182

Issue:

iss. 6

Page start:

p. 498

Page end:

p. 504

Abstract:

Background Benzodiazepine withdrawal programmes have never been experimentally compared with a nonintervention control condition.
Aims To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of tapering off long-term benzodiazepine use in general practice, and to evaluate the value of additional group cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT).
Method A 3-month randomised, 3-month controlled trial was conducted in which 180 people attempting to discontinue long-term benzodiazepine use were assigned to tapering off plus group CBT, tapering off alone or usual care.
Results Tapering off led to a significantly higher proportion of successful discontinuations than usual care (62% . 21%). Adding group CBT did not increase the success rate (58% v. 62%).Neither successful discontinuation nor intervention type affected psychological functioning. Both tapering strategies showed good feasibilityin general practice.
Conclusions Tapering off is a feasible and effective way of discontinuing long-term benzodiazepine use in general practice.The addition of group CBT is of limited value.